Growing Intimidation on Campus

Jewish students tell university administrators: stop hiding.

When an African American student at San Jose State University who was racially harassed and bullied by his dormitory roommates came forward, university, county, and state officials began an investigation. Within days, prosecutors labeled it a hate crime, battery charges were filed against three of the roommates, and the university had suspended them. Within weeks, California State Assembly Speaker John Perez announced the creation of a Select Committee on Campus Climate, to look into this incident and find a way to prevent others like it.

When a white male threw a beer at Trinity College sophomore Juan Hernandez and yelled, “Get off our campus,” Trinity launched an investigation and charges were brought against the perpetrator.

When anti-gay remarks were written on message boards that hang on dorm-room doors, Elizabethtown College began an investigation, engaged the FBI, and disciplinary action was taken.

Jewish students are bullied by fellow students and also professors.

Compare that to the situation for Jewish students. Over the last several years, Jewish students on campuses across the country have been physically, emotionally, and intellectually harassed, intimidated, threatened and bullied – not only by their fellow students but also by some of their professors.

• Anti-Israel student activists at the University of Michigan last month hurled death threats at Jewish student council members and called them “dirty Jew” and “kike.”

• At University of California, Berkeley, a Jewish girl holding an “Israel Wants Peace” sign was ramrodded with a shopping cart by the head of Students for Justice in Palestine.

• At Harvard University, the Palestine Security Committee frightened Jewish students by placing mock eviction notices on their dormitory rooms.

• At Northeastern University in Boston, Students for Justice in Palestine vandalized a menorah and disrupted Jewish events.

• At San Francisco State University this past fall, the General Union of Palestine Students hosted an all-day event where participants could make posters and t-shirts that said, “My Heroes Have Always Killed Colonizers,” meaning Jews.

• And just last week, at New York University, pro-Palestinian students slipped “eviction notices” under the doors of 2,000 undergrads, scaring Jewish students and parents.

Aggressive Confrontations

The first major source for anti-Jewish sentiment on campus is members of the Muslim and pro-Palestinian student organizations. For more than a decade, these groups have sponsored speakers, films, exhibits, and guerrilla theater that engage in discourse or use imagery and language considered anti-Semitic by the U.S. State Department. These student groups have also been responsible for aggressively confronting students at pro-Israel events and threatening, physically harassing, and assaulting Jewish students.

Over the past couple of years, the groups have also promoted campaigns to boycott Israel or companies that do business with Israel. These campaigns are accompanied by talks, rallies, and exhibits containing anti-Semitic imagery, rhetoric, and actions. Jewish students have reported fearing for their safety in the days leading up to and after the campaigns, saying they were “continuously intimidated” and “repeatedly threatened.”

Faculty Participation

The second source of anti-Israel sentiment on campus is faculty. In classrooms and at departmentally sponsored events, faculty members have advanced lies and distortions about Zionism, Israel, and Jews, and advocated the elimination of the Jewish State. Although their rhetoric is unscholarly, politically motivated, and even at times anti-Semitic, these professors have wrapped themselves in the mantle of academic freedom, making it very difficult to challenge.

• For four years, David Klein, a mathematics professor at California State University, Northridge, has been using his university’s server to promote his Web pages calling for the economic, academic and cultural boycott of Israel. His Web pages contain a litany of false and inflammatory statements and photographs intended to incite hatred and promote political activism against the Jewish State.

Barghouti says that Israeli soldiers “murder children for sport.”

• David Lloyd is a professor of English at University of California, Riverside. In January, he organized an event on his campus that featured Omar Barghouti, the founder and most vocal advocate for the campaign to boycott Israel. Barghouti accused Israeli soldiers of “hunting children,” saying that soldiers “entice children like mice into a trap and murder them for sport.” He also accused “Israel and its well-oiled lobby groups” of “buying and paying for the allegiance of Congress” and controlling the media. Course credit was dangled to students in eight courses for attending Barghouti’s hate speech.

• At NYU, Prof. Lisa Duggan hosted a conference for students that constituted nothing more than a platform for 21 anti-Israel activists to spew their hatred of the Jewish state and promote a boycott intended to hasten its elimination. Fully aware of its unscholarly, anti-Semitic, politically motivated purpose, Duggan wrote on Facebook, “PLEASE DO NOT post or circulate the flyer. We are trying to avoid press, protestors and public attention.”

Fear of Reprisal

The impact of this academic Israel-bashing on students has been enormous. Students have reported feeling emotionally and intellectually harassed and intimidated by their professors, to the point that they are reluctant or afraid to express a view that is not anti-Israel in their classes. They are often afraid to come forward and confront the professor or complain to the university for fear of retaliation.

Sadly, Jewish students who have spoken out have been vilified and attacked for even trying to call attention to the anti-Semitic behavior they are experiencing. For example, at a University of California, Davis anti-Israel “occupation” rally last November, a student who expressed concern about the anti-Semitic banners displayed at the protest was physically assaulted by a protestor who screamed in his face, “You are racist and you should die in hell.”

Who bears the most blame for the tsunami of campus anti-Semitism? University administrators. Distressingly, administrators routinely turn a blind eye to this long-standing and pervasive anti-Jewish bigotry and ignore Jewish students’ pleas for help. Language and behavior that would never be tolerated from students or faculty when directed against other campus minorities goes unchallenged by administrators when directed against Jewish students. The primary responsibility for addressing campus anti-Semitism rests with university administrators. Unfortunately, they are missing in action when it comes to protecting Jewish students rights and ensuring their safety.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 22

(18)
Anonymous,
April 5, 2016 11:18 AM

Take Action

These people need nothing more than a couple of police detectives involved in the University. I'm sure the FBI in a University does wonders for their public image. I would file a law suit against the University for violating the Constitutional right to freedom of education which is a right embodied in the Rights of humans in the United Nations. The right of freedom of speech does not include hate speech or incitement to violence and hatred. These hooligans are racist bullies, and there is nothing more gratifying to see them in Jail for a couple of months to sooth their views.

(17)
Gary J. Schuster,
May 14, 2014 9:42 PM

Another one of those students

I also attended the University of Michigan but at the Dearborn campus. I had to be very careful about revealing my being Jewish since that campus is very pro-muslim. If I was not careful, it could have meant my life. This is no joke or exaggeration.When the desire to placate a group of people goes way too far, serious problems can and do occur. Some of my professors knew who I was and I received no problems from them. However, young muslim students run the campus and have areas in the library set aside for their worship. Tolerance turns to submission and control switches to those who were tolerated. Blessed be HaShem who is in control of all!

(16)
anon,
May 14, 2014 4:54 PM

This is very important - we need a knowledge base to deal with it

The "left" is very into this right now.Unfortunately, old zionist talking points (e.g.: land w/o people for people w/o land) many learned years ago oversimplified the reality, which is complex and nuanced.We need valid/legitimate talking points. there should be a knowledge base somewhere (perhaps on this site, but, not sure it's the right place - but, if there is no other, then I guess it would have to be here) where people can educate themselves. If your goal was to be mekarev a college student, you might first find today that you needed to be well versed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict issues to be able to open a dialog. If they have bought into the Palestinian propaganda, there can be a big wall in front of you.

So for example, Israel is constantly attacked as an apartheid state - which sounds like an interesting line of attack coming from Palestinians who would seem to prefer their state to be Judenrein. (or, would they accept dhimmis happily, just not allow Israeli citizens to live there?) Where exactly would they draw the line? Where ever it is, is seems far below the treatment Arab citizens receive in Israel.

(15)
Inbar,
May 11, 2014 2:38 PM

Our stay in Exile is ending as Hashem promised

Leaving exile and going home to Israel is not out of fear, it is simply because this galut is close to its end. It may be very difficult to leave the place where you have vested interests, hopes and dreams - especially when you have fully bought into the American dream, are succesful in it or hope to be, and expect it to continue for a long, long time. Enjoy the American dream while it lasts. It is already souring. The worldwide rise of antisemitism is a strong signal for us to go home.Only Israel is our permanent home, in all other countries we are only temporarily. The wise course of action is to move now with our assets to our permanent home, and do all our investing there. Whether in material assets or in dreams.

(14)
Dr. Donna,
May 11, 2014 2:22 PM

Student and parent response

I encourage students, parents, and faculty to file police reports with each incident, and if needed, hire an attorney and prosecute. The idea about publicizing each event is wonderful.

We need students to keep well-informed and articulate each act of terror as it occurs, and we need to contact our law makers for more anti-hate legislation and legislation to stop funding campus groups that sponsor hate and academic boycotts. One last 'we need' - we need to boycott faculty and their publications.

(13)
Michy,
May 10, 2014 3:03 PM

Stop donating

All occurrences of anti-semitism should be publicized. The media may not care but some stories will get through. And stop donating! Money and reputation are all the universities care about so if alumni stop donating, the universities will have to listen.

(12)
roxanne,
May 10, 2014 12:52 AM

unity

ZOA (Zionist Organization of America), standwithus.com, and CAMERA can provide support for Jewish students and staff on college campuses. ZOA has helped in several cases like the ones described in the article. Please know that there are people that can help. It is scary and I know it can be difficult to talk about these things, especially when administrators, teachers, so-called efficacy groups, and other students are part of the problem or do not listen. Please know that these organizations will. Please keep talking - the people who hate want us to be silent and disappear so their hate can grow. And yes, Israel is our home and Baruch HaShem we are blessed to be able to live there. May HaShem watch over Eretz Yisrael and Kol Yisrael.

(11)
Sarah,
May 9, 2014 10:54 PM

One of those students

I'm one of the Jewish students experiencing anti-Israel bias and anti-Semitism on campus. Yes, we do try to stand up for ourselves, but it's so much easier said than done. SJP (Students for Justice in Palestine) and affiliates are huge. Painting Palestinians as the underdog gets lots of sympathy on a college campus. Administrators don't want to hear it and the pseudo-division between anti-Israel sentiment and anti-Semitism makes it harder to argue our case. I'm planning to make aliyah upon graduation.

(10)
annie,
May 9, 2014 8:13 AM

Home is the best

shalom,to all the israelis out there
we all know the only place where protection is guaranteed for any israelí is home in the land promised by G_d. the rules in your home do not apply in your neighbours home. so israelis out tere should not expect much . even the seeming peace e and security that some enjoy won't
last for long . the holy scriptures history and current polls on antisemitism seem to agree. so t is best to move now and rebuild the ancient ruins . our prayers are with you

(9)
Anna,
May 8, 2014 6:51 PM

A Divine Invitation

Come home, come home. Instead of fighting to make other lands "better", come home to the Land of the Jewish People. We will welcome you with love. God moves in strange ways. Now that it is not only possible, but relatively easy to return to the Land of Israel, God seems to be "moving His people along" as new waves of anti-Semitism spread across the world. Sounds mystical? Religious? Yep. It is. And it's also Reality. So come on home, ye Students of the World. It'll take a bit of adjustment, but it's a wonderful, maddening, mystical, miraculous place to be. And it's yours for the taking!

(8)
Otis R. Needleman,
May 8, 2014 5:24 PM

Time to stand up to these bullies.

Face them head-on. Beard the lions in their den. Refuse to be intimidated by ANYONE. Stand up for yourselves. Administration won't help? Do it yourself. Get your story in the media. Publicize hateful teachers, etc. STOP BEING AFRAID. The anti-Semitism will only grow unless you stand up to it.

Anonymous,
May 9, 2014 8:12 AM

Facing up to the challenge

From what I see, Needleman (8) has it right. Don't play sheep. Respond like a lion. So does (7). It's time to enlist the ACLU, ADL, Southern Poverty Law Center and other civil rights. Anna (9) may mean well, but it seems to me her approach is contrary to the most fundamental lessons of Jewish history. It was in the Diaspora that Judaism was preserved following the destruction of the Second Temple. It was in the Diaspora that Judaism was transformed and reinvigorated by the rabbis of the Talmud and succeeding centuries -- Sadia Gaon, Maimonides, Nachmanides, Rashi, and the G"ra (Gaon of Wilna), to name a few -- up to modern times. Without the continuing health of Jewish communities in America, Britain and France, not to mention the resurgence of Jewish life in Germany and Eastern Europe, Israel is doomed. Unless we make a stand wherever we can stand, we are doomed to find there is nowhere that we can stand.

scott,
May 11, 2014 6:27 AM

Don't look to the diaspora

I completely disagree. The communities in diaspora weren't any help during the shoah. Not that they didn't want to, but when actual goyish lives and money is on the line, Jews in diaspora can do little. Yes J-Street is nice as is AIPAC during relative peace, but push comes to shove-as it has over and over again-the goyim will simply take what they want from you and do whatever they want to the rest of us. The economic and political influence of diaspora communities has it's hard limits. And those limits make it useless. Don't you guys read history books?....Every paradise in diaspora ends with slavery, expulsion and murder. Every time we allow eretz yisroel to be dominated by a foreign power it ends in slavery, expulsion and murder. Do you think it will be different this time?

It says that we should not rely on mortal man...that includes ourselves. It includes the Jews in diaspora. I've been home for two years and I can tell you that no one who does not live here has a clue about what Israel is. The eretz yisroel that dispora Jews hear about in shul or debate about with their friends or visit on vacation is far different from the one you learn about starting at the point you get off the plane will all your stuff forever.

If I had to make a guess, there will come a time-and to look at history to say it won't is ignorant-when we Israelis will have to risk our very lives to rescue the Jews of the diaspora from their neighbors. Thank Hashem there are those of us that actually came to Israel to stand as Jews so that this time there might actually be someone to save those living among the nations.

(7)
jerusalem mom,
May 8, 2014 4:44 PM

where's the ACLU?

They receive a lot of money from jews-how about defending jewish students and prosecuting indiduals and organizations who attack jews either verbally or physically?if something isn't done, tragedy may happen!

(6)
Rina,
May 8, 2014 4:36 PM

You made me thankful.

Whatever disagreements I have with my Jewish college's administration, I do not have the problems you described above, thank Gd.We need to openly protest all these actions.

(5)
Sharon,
May 8, 2014 4:13 PM

Jews should set the terms

The problem is that too many American Jews feel that their futures depend on successful acceptance and completion of "prestigious" universities. They therefore cannot express themselves without fear. When I studied in university, this atrocious situation did not exist. And thank G-d my children study here in Israel and are not subject to this. Leftist professors thrive in every university (even here), but they need us more than we need them.If Jews stand together against these viscious lies, they will have more power to illuminate the truth. They must use their strength in unity.

(4)
Irene,
May 8, 2014 3:13 PM

Jews go home

Israel is the only Place where Jews are at home, and Israel needs you to come home! All the prophesies are telling that the Jews need to go home, and live in Israel.As for the others, the stupid Universities who does not understand their own good, and allow Jews to feel uncomfortable being there, they WILL get paid. God has promised to all children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that whoever behaves bad to them, will face His revenge, and whoever treats the Jew well, will reap His blessing.Don't care about the Universities who make Jews feel uncomfortable, By doing that, they sign their own doom. They will become history. Jews, go home, and see that the God who promised to protect and bless you in Israel is alive, and mighty and able to do ALL He has promised.We who do not hate Jews will of course miss you when you leave Our country, With all Your skills and knowledge and wealth, but we also recognize that Israel is Your true homeland, and that you are needed there, and that the living God wants you there.

Anonymous,
May 8, 2014 6:44 PM

often can't see the picture when inside the frame

I wish the Jews saw it as clearly as it seems to me believe that you do

(3)
Robin Rosenblatt,
May 8, 2014 2:37 PM

Intimidation on Campus

Jewish student must learn to defend Israel and themselves before they go to University. Kava Magad and know Israel history backward and forward.

(2)
Inbar,
May 8, 2014 12:02 PM

High time to go home to Israel

Universities are supposed to be places where truth and reason are actively advanced. For so many years it has been clear that this gets further and further from the truth. Why stay? In every Western society universities are (becoming) places where Jew-hatred is not counteracted or even actively fostered. Staff, students and families: do not buy into the great 'name' that a university may still have. That was in the past: what about the present and trends for the future?Young Jews do not need to be terrorized into self-hatred, and they need a place at this university less than they need to be in an environment where they are accepted and can develop freely. The best solution to all this is to move to Israel, strengthen existing universities - or even start new universities to deal with the big group of students coming in. It could be set up similar to the University of the People using Massive Open Online Courses, so tuition could be kept low and everyone could benefit from it. Working together with existing universities and companies for locations to teach, and to meet each other, students could develop and interact with each other without being harassed for being Jews.

Leah Batya,
May 10, 2014 8:45 AM

Is Israel truly a safe haven?

There are misguided and self-hating Jews in Israel as well, as evidenced by Ha'aritz and the far left. They are just as willing to sell out their Countrymen and fellow Jews. Our ethics and morality expect us to be a light onto the World, to "light one candle", but we carry this too far when the price is the annihilation of our own people. History is repeating itself and it's time to take a firm stand. The cost will be even greater if we don't

(1)
Aviel,
May 8, 2014 8:21 AM

it's very different with Israel than other examples u give. it's not considered bigotry or antisemitism to be anti Israel

Almost no faculty supports anti gay,black, or hispanic behavior publicly.It's considered bigotry and is severely condemned .Any perpetrators are correctly taken to task. Anti Israel activity is a whole different story.There is much support among faculty and students, including Jewish ones for the Palestinian narrative that the elimination of Israel as a Jewish State would advance the cause of peace and justice in the region.If the campaign waged against Israel was stated as against Jews or Judaism you would not have such widespread and growing support among faculty and students. That seems to me to be the reality. While anti semitism for certain motivates some,included are plenty of Gentiles who are not antsemetic, along with Jews who believe that they are the "good Germans" not supporting the bad Nazi[Israeli gov't,settlers etc] In my opinion until the Jews achieve more unity, and understand Israel is their land and everywhere else they are only guests I don't think it'll get any better.When the Jews believe it the rest of the world will follow to everyones benefit, Muslims as well.

My Christian friends are always speaking about “faith.” To me this sounds a lot like blind faith. Is that really the essence of religion?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

I'm afraid that this is another case of a Christian concept being mis-associated with Judaism.

Let's first define our terms. What is faith?

Webster defines faith as "Belief without proof."

What is knowledge? "An acquaintance with truth, facts or principles through study or investigation."

Faith is usually a product of desire. Have you ever gotten a tip on the market that guarantees you're going to triple your money in a month? A lot of smart people have gotten fleeced because they ignored the evidence and went with their feelings.

Knowledge, on the other hand, is based on evidence. We know there's a place called China because we have too many products in our house saying "made in China." There's a lot of evidence for the existence of China, even though most of us have never been there.

Judaism unequivocally comes down on the side of knowledge, not faith. In Deuteronomy 4:39, the Torah says: "You shall know this day, and understand it well in your heart, that the Almighty is God; in the heaven above and the earth below, there is none other." (This verse is also contained in the prayer, "Aleynu.")

This verse tells us that it is not enough to simply know in your head, intellectually, that God is the Controller of everything. You must know it in your heart! This knowledge is much more profound than an intellectual knowledge. God gave us a brain because he wants us to think rationally about the world, our role in it, and our relationship with God.

A conviction based on desire or feelings alone has no place in Judaism. The Hebrew word "emunah," which is often translated as faith, does not describe a conviction based on feelings or desire. It describes a conviction that is based on evidence.

Once this knowledge is internalized, it effects how a person lives. A person with this knowledge could transform every breathing moment into a mitzvah, for he would do everything for the sake of the heaven. But this is not a "knowledge," that comes easily. Only intensive Torah learning and doing mitzvahs can achieve this knowledge. Every word of Torah we learn moves us just a little bit closer to that goal. And everyone is capable of that.

To learn more, read "The Knowing Heart," by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (Feldheim.com). This entire book is an explanation of this verse!

In 350 BCE, the building of the second Holy Temple was completed in Jerusalem, as recorded in the biblical Book of Ezra (6:15). The re-building of the Temple had begun under Cyrus when the Persians first took over the Babylonian empire. The re-building was then interrupted for 18 years, and resumed with the blessing of Darius II, the Persian king whom is said to be the son of Esther. The Second Temple lacked much of the glory of the First Temple: There was no Ark of the Covenant, and the daily miracles and prophets were no longer part of the scenery. The Second Temple would stand for 420 years, before being destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE.

You shall know this day and consider it within your heart(Deuteronomy 4:39).

Business people who are involved in many transactions employ accountants to analyze their operations and to determine whether or not they are profitable. They may also seek the help of experts to determine which products are making money and which are losing. Such studies allow them to maximize their profits and minimize their losses. Without such data, they might be doing a great deal of business, but discover at the end of the year that their expenditures exceeded their earnings.

Sensible people give at least as much thought to the quality and achievement of their lives as they do to their businesses. Each asks himself, "Where am I going with my life? What am I doing that is of value? In what ways am I gaining and improving? And which practices should I increase, and which should I eliminate?"

Few people make such reckonings. Many of those that do, do so on their own, without consulting an expert's opinion. These same people would not think of being their own business analysts and accountants, and they readily pay large sums of money to engage highly qualified experts in these fields.

Jewish ethical works urge us to regularly undergo cheshbon hanefesh, a personal accounting. We would be foolish to approach this accounting of our very lives with any less seriousness than we do our business affairs. We should seek out the "spiritual C.P.A.s," those who have expertise in spiritual guidance, to help us in our analyses.

Today I shall...

look for competent guidance in doing a personal moral inventory and in planning my future.

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